‘Super Regular’ Customers

Perly’s, Richmond

Jeff Greenough

A Classic Club sandwich from Perly’s in Richmond

It’s never hard to find Gray Wyatt, the owner of Perly’s restaurant in downtown Richmond. He’s usually perched on the same black stool at the counter. Constancy is the hallmark of this 50-year-old eatery: “People like coming here again and again because nothing changes,” says Wyatt, who took over the restaurant started by the late Harry Perlstein 27 years ago. “It’s consistent. Perly’s is always Perly’s.”

Known for making the finest deli sandwiches in town, Perly’s is also well-known for its biscuits. After filming the HBO miniseries John Adams, actor Paul Giamatti was asked what his favorite thing in Richmond was. “The biscuits at Perly’s,” he replied. Wyatt jokes that Perly’s, open seven days a week, has got two types of customers—“regular and super-regular.” In fact, some even stop by several times a day for coffee, a meal and a chat. “We approach food with reverence,” adds Wyatt. “At Perly’s we feed your stomach and feed your soul.” Who doesn’t need seconds of that?.”

111 East Grace Street, 804-649-2779

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